Kailua Baptist Church on TBN

I really hope if you have a question about what I am going to say, that you will ask: I have major disagreements with a lot of what is promoted on Trinity Broadcasting Network. So I am not even sure if I agree with what I did, namely, do a short interview with a good friend of mine on Hawaii’s branch of that TV station. At the end of the day, we believe the gospel was proclaimed, and we praise God for that.

A few thoughts on our discussion on the dangers of “assuming the gospel”:

Paul evangelizes Christians, not just non-Christians (Rom 1.15)

Paul says evangelists equip the saints (Eph 4.11)

James does not assume the gospel, even though I cannot think of a reference to the cross in the book of James: his argument in James 2.8-26 is basically the same argument as Paul’s in the book of Galatians. Both argue that true faith in Christ works itself out through love. Perhaps Paul emphasizes FAITH works itself out through love, but James emphasizes faith WORKS ITSELF OUT THROUGH LOVE, but both preach justification by faith alone that works itself out through love.

Plus, James says “faith without works is dead” (James 2.17). Clearly, he is not assuming all those who say they believe are believers.

Galatians is fighting against those who assume the gospel (the Judaizers basically say, “I assume you have the gospel, now it’s time to focus on other things.”). Paul says, let them be accursed.

Assuming the gospel takes away from God’s glory (2 Cor 4.3-6); it is the “gospel of the glory of Christ”! God gets glory if you preach the gospel in the shower; why would you ever neglect to preach the gospel on Sunday morning?